The northeastern region of India is a treasure trove of rich cultural heritage, with its diverse communities, each having its unique traditions, customs, and music. Among the many tribes and ethnic groups that inhabit this region, the Chakam community of Tripura stands out for their distinct traditions and cultures that have been passed down through generations The Chakmas are one of the major tribes belonging to the Mongolian Race that migrated from the Chittagong Hill Tracts to Tripura during the first part of the eighteenth century. Besides Tripura, Chakmas are residing in Mizoram, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal etc. Despite their long history and unique cultural heritage, the Chakmas remain a mystery to many. Let’s delve deeper into their identity, history, and culture to unravel the enigma of the Chakma tribe of North East India.
Origin of the Chakmas
The Chakmas of Tripura are one of the tribes of Indo-bangladesh Sub-continent. Anthropologically they belong to a branch of Tibeto ~ Burmese tribe and this Burmese Tribe originally belonged to the Mangolian race. The Chakmas of Tripura mainly believe in the stream of HINAYANI Buddhism although there are also Hindu and Christian Chakmas.
Historically, the Chakmas were known to be a warrior tribe and were renowned for their martial skills. They had their own kingdom in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which was known as the “Chakma Circle.” However, with the advent of British colonial rule in the region, the Chakma kingdom was abolished, and their lands were annexed, leading to their migration to different parts of present-day India. Although historical references suggest that the Chakmas migrated to Tripura during the 18th and 19th centuries, there are reliable sources that indicate that the Chakmas had a good relationship with the Tripuries even centuries before that. Sneha Kumar Chakma, in his essay titled “Tripuray Chakmajati,” published in the Tripura newspaper Jagaran on June 19, 1976, affirmed the relation and contact between the Tripuries and the Chakmas.
Raja Tridiv Roy, who voluntarily gave away his kingdom to become part of India during the country’s independence struggle He was also the 50th Raja/King of the Chakma tribe in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of present-day Bangladesh ( read more about him Here)
The Chakmas faced numerous challenges in their journey to India, including displacement, discrimination, and loss of their ancestral lands. Despite these hardships, the Chakma tribe has managed to preserve its distinct identity and cultural heritage. Today, they are recognized as one of the 11 scheduled tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, which grants them certain legal protections and privileges
Culture that will shock you
One of the significant aspects of Chakma culture is their traditional attire. The Chakma women wear colorful and intricately designed clothes called “Phinon”, adorned with jewelry, while men usually wear simple garments.The Chakma tribe is also known for their skilled craftsmanship, particularly in bamboo and woodwork, which is often used for making household items, musical instruments, and decorative pieces
Festivals hold a special place in Chakma culture, and they celebrate various festivals throughout the year. Bijhu, also known as the Chakma New Year, is one of their most important festivals, celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm in April for 3 days, marking the dawn of a New Year for them.The festival is also celebrated by seven other ethnic groups in Tripura: Marma, Tangchangya, Tripuris, Mro, Khumi, Khiyang and Chak. The Marmas call the festival “Sangraig”, Tangchangya refer to it as “Bishu”, Truipis call it “Baisuk” and Ahmia name it “Bihu”.
On the first day-Phool Biju, people pay floral tributes to the nearby rivers.The second day-Mul Biju is celebrated with the performance of traditional songs and dances, culminating with the famous Biju dance.On the third and final day, known as Gotche Potche Biju, elders of the community are honored with an elaborate feast and renew marriage vows with their spouses.
Another significant festival in Chakma culture is the Buddha Purnima, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. It is celebrated with religious fervor and includes prayers, rituals, and processions to Buddhist temples. The Chakmas also celebrate other festivals like Bizhu, Buikher Puja, and Gajon, which involve various cultural and religious rituals, traditional dances, and music.
The Chakma tribe also has unique social customs and practices, such as arranged marriages, clan-based social structure, and a strong sense of community cohesion. They have their own traditional governance system, known as the “Marma Raj”, which is a council of elders responsible for resolving disputes and maintaining social harmony within the community.
The problem faced by them
The Chakma and Hajong communities in Arunachal Pradesh, India, have faced citizenship-related issues after migrating from Bangladesh. They have encountered discrimination, limited access to resources, and concerns about cultural preservation. The Indian government has taken measures to address the issue, but debates and controversies persist. A nuanced understanding of the complexities is needed for a fair resolution while respecting legal and social justice principles.
Meanwhile, thousands of Chakmas in Arunachal still live in miserable conditions, without land rights, ration cards, access to schools after the primary level or jobs. The imperious policies of the Centre and the identity politics of the state have extracted a terrible human cost The question of citizenship for the Chakmas became a political tussle between Arunachal and the Centre. As the students union chanted “Chakma Go Back”, political parties in the state took up the issue with alacrity.While in an interview with human rights defender Dilip Chakma says ( click here for full interview)
In recent years, this discrimination has become more systematic and institutionalised. In the state of Mizoram, for instance, the government recently introduced discriminatory laws to deprive Chakma students from attending medical and engineering courses through government-sponsored quota, that deny equal access to higher education to students belonging to my community.
Addressing these challenges requires efforts from governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote and protect the rights, culture, and well-being of the Chakma community and other indigenous peoples. Ensuring inclusive participation in decision-making processes is crucial to address these issues and promoting social justice and equality for the Chakma tribe
REFERENCE FOR MORE
The Chakmas of Tripura by Panna Lal Majumdar ( https://trci.tripura.gov.in/e-book_publications )
50 years on, Chakma refugees from Bangladesh are still denied ( https://scroll.in/article/845129/50-years-on-chakma-refugees-from-bangladesh-are-still-denied-citizenship-rights-in-arunachal)
The Question of Citizenship by News-click ( https://www.newsclick.in/the-question-citizenship-chakma-hajong-state-arunachal-pradesh)
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